Learning From the Master

Each celebrity is paired with an experienced Ninja, who serves as their coach and cheerleader. Amell is partnered with Kacy Catanzaro, who became the first woman to earn a spot in the American Ninja Warrior finals in 2014.

(Photo: Tyler Golden/NBC)

‘Celebrity Ninja Warrior’: 10 Photos of Stephen Amell in Action

The Red Nose Day Special is all about donating what you can to help children most in need, both here in the U.S. and in some of the poorest communities in the world. But this year, longtime admirers of Arrow star Stephen Amell are also getting something special: The chance to see him compete in Celebrity Ninja Warrior, which kicks off NBC’s evening of Red Nose Day programming. The actor, a longtime fan of American Ninja Warrior, tells Yahoo TV that tackling the course in real life was “surreal” — and a lot harder than it looks. “For me, the most nerve-racking moment was the very first obstacle,” he says. “Ninjas make it look easy… It isn’t!” Fortunately, Amell had a pretty helpful coach: ANW legend Kacy Catanzaro. “Her pointers were the difference between the run I had and flaming out super early,” he says.

Here’s a look at Amell in action.

Celebrity Ninja Warrior airs Thursday, May 25 at 8 p.m., followed by a special edition of Running Wild with Bear Grylls at 9 p.m.featuring Julia Roberts in Kenya. The Red Nose Day Special airs live at 10 p.m. on NBC.